Research Document - 2011/059
The Marine Ecosystem of Georges Bank
By E. Kennedy, L. Bennett, S. Campana, K. Clark, P. Comeau, M. Fowler, C. Gjerdrum, F. Grégoire, C. Hannah, L. Harris, G. Harrison, M. James, I. Jonsen, C. Johnson, B. Law, W.K.W. Li, G. Melvin, T. Milligan, S. Paul, D. Pezzack, J. Sameoto, J. Simon, K. Smedbol, P. Smith, H. Stone, D. Themalis, J. Tremblay, L. Van Eeckhaute, J. Wade, Y. Wang, and T. Worcester
Abstract
Over the past several decades, a significant amount of knowledge from scientific studies has been gathered by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), in addition to other national and international efforts, on the marine ecosystem and marine resources of Georges Bank. This research document is a compilation of DFO's most up-to-date ‘state of knowledge’ of the marine ecosystem of Georges Bank. The document has the following objectives under its Terms of Reference:
- description of the physical, geological/sedimentological, and biological marine ecosystem components, including marine species and at-risk species (e.g. finfish, shellfish, invertebrates and mammals);
- description of marine birds; and
- where possible, a review of existing knowledge and identification of knowledge gaps in science which, if addressed, can lead to a better understanding of the marine ecosystem of the Georges Bank area and its marine resources.
The content of this document builds on earlier reports of Gordon (1988) and Boudreau et al. (1999). This document summarizes the current state of knowledge of the marine ecosystem and marine resources of Georges Bank. Some remaining knowledge gaps have been identified, although this is not the major focus of the document. In addition, the document should not be viewed as a comprehensive review of research needs. Furthermore, the document is not to be viewed as an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) nor will such an assessment be provided with this document. Last, this document complements the document of Lee et al. (2011) entitled "Consideration of the Potential Impacts on the Marine Environment Associated with Offshore Petroleum Exploration and Development Activities" (DFO. Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2011/060. xii + 136pp). The Lee et al. (2011) document only considers the state of knowledge of potential impacts on marine environments associated with offshore petroleum exploration prior to April 2010. It does not consider any new knowledge or lessons that may have been learned from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill associated with the April 20, 2010, accident of the Deepwater Horizon.
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